Pies topple Seagulls

CAMPERDOWN claimed a much-needed victory at home this week against Port Fairy, streaking away in the second half to beat the Seagulls 60-43.

By Support Team

On fire: Krystal Baker scored from all around the goal circle, shooting 35 goals in a best-on-court performance.

CAMPERDOWN claimed a much-needed victory at home this week against Port Fairy, streaking away in the second half to beat the Seagulls 60-43.

The Magpies had their noses in front at the first break, leading 15-12 after an early arm-wrestle.

An ankle injury to Camperdown stalwart Brooke Richardson forced a reshuffle on court, seeing Lily Eldridge move from offence into goal keeper to replace Richardson.

Under-17 player Mary Place came on as goal attack, and Camperdown steadied the ship, leading 29-27 at half-time.

Place and Krystal Baker in goal shooter combined well up front, with Baker giving a season-best performance of 35 goals to earn herself best on court.

Eldridge was also instrumental in the back court and remained there alongside Richardson when she returned in the second half.

Camperdown coach Leah Sinnott said she was “really pleased” with her players’ performance.

“It was probably the first game we’ve been able to get some consistent flow from one of the court to the other,” she said.

“Port Fairy are in a similar position to us in terms of having a lot of youth in their team, and they were really competitive up till half-time.

“But then I put Lily into defence, and that seemed to change the game somewhat for us.

And it’s the best I’ve seen Krystal shoot in a long time, too, she was shooting beautifully from every part of the court.

“Mary Place also played an outstanding game, her drive was brilliant and she played a really mature game for a young kid.”

The win puts Camperdown into seventh place but just one victory behind Cobden in fourth.

This week’s match against Koroit will be the toughest yet for the young Magpies, and Sinnott said they would have to focus on their own game and see what happened.

“The season that it is, you don’t know what you’re going to get week to week with people out crook and that sort of thing,” she said.

“Hopefully the last game was a sign of us building consistency, and I’d hope that against Koroit we can be competitive and give them a run for their money.

“We’re not thinking it’s out of the realms, we want to take it up to them.”